Sunday, January 24, 2016

I don't know about everyone out there... but I'm currently stuck inside for a while due to a whopping 21 inches of snow dumped by Winter Storm Jonas! Looking out at all snowy weather got me thinking about winter sewing patterns.

When bundling up for the chilly weather, why not be unique? Why not try a fashionable cape? :)

They're very in this season and the Pattern Patter Team has a large variety you can choose from. Timeless in style, any era of pattern can be used today and still look up-to-the-minute.

And of course, when stuck inside... it's always the best time for sewing!

Let's see what we can find.

Vogue 7891

Cloe's Closet has this truly elegant cape in stock! In the long or short version, suitable for the most dressy affair. Not going to the opera or theatre? Why not dress like it anyway? :)

Vogue 9091

This one, from Roma's Maison is really something special. You can have a beautiful cape that matches your professional ensemble. Take off your cape for a lovely office look. Sure to have your co-workers buzzing. (Also in stock at Linda Kay Designs and Redcurlzs)

New Look 6658

For a more modern look, how about this neat cape-and-hat combo from DRCRose Patterns? It also includes a scarf and a handbag... pretty great gift ideas. Looks sharp!

Simplicity 9211

Another fabulous coordinating ensemble is here from So Sew Some. Make it with a skirt or pants.. it still looks stylish and will keep you warm. (Also in stock at Find Crafty Patterns.)

Vogue 9048

Holy elegance! This gown-and-cape combo from Eleanor Meriwether is certainly perfect for your most dressy affair. You could wear it to the Oscars, no kidding!

McCall 7179

And speaking of vintage elegance, this cape is sure to be warm and dressy. What a stunning pattern! From So Vintage on Etsy.

Simplicity 5199

This cape from Laguna Lane is certainly a fancy affair. The hooded version might be just perfect for your Steampunk or Renaissance Fair look.

As a pattern collector, sometimes I think Simplicity's E.S.P. (Extra Sure Patterns) line is a little.. I don't know.. boring? But this pattern is anything but! One of the nicest E.S.P. designs I've seen, and you can buy it at Neverwares. (Also available at Find Crafty Patterns.)

Butterick 5987

Very dramatic and also good for your cosplay, steampunk or renaissance fair creation is this pattern from The Granny Squared. I love a hooded cape!

Simplicity 6630

And here's another hooded cape, and this one is reversible! Two outfits in one! Get it at Sandritocat.

Vogue 2231

Holy moly! If you want to look REALLY stylish, how about this classy number from Pucci?! A rare pattern, in stock at Fragolina. (Also in stock at MBChills and Fancywork)

Floradora Presents has this very unusual (and rare!) 1930s cape pattern from Butterick. The sleek lines and dramatic tailoring are a real treat.

Tailor's Guide Co.

This special pattern is made for reenactment and costume purposes, but is perfect for keeping you warm this winter! At Vintage Needle Finds.

Also, don't forget the guys! You'd have to be a pretty classy dude to wear this out this winter, but I have faith you're out there somewhere! Of course, also great for your cosplay and costuming pleasure. :) From Retroactive Future.

Here's an easy pattern that is also reversible! How cute and fun. Designed for teens/juniors, but wearable by adults, too! At Knightcloth. (Also in stock at We Are Vintage Sewing),

Vogue 2402

OH WOW, this unbelievable Sybil Connolly designer pattern is in stock at Kinsey Sue. It also comes with the hat and dress. Totally Carnaby Street, but totally perfect for anyone's stylish, retro wardrobe.

McCall's 3966

I love this (also reversible) cape pattern from MBChills! It is a Halston Original, and I love the dog on the envelope, too.

That's about all for now! Do you have a cape? I wore them in high school to be cool, or something. (I wasn't really cool at in the least, but capes are still cool.) Maybe I'll give them another try. They are pretty glamorous if you ask me. (They don't spoil your outfit!)

Sunday, January 17, 2016

I know it's still January, but if you want to make a DIY Valentine's Day gift you had better get started right away!

Let's see what beautiful Valentine's Day things you can make with lovely patterns from the Pattern Patter Team!

Simplicity 1394

These cute 1950s pillow covers from Roma's Maison would make a cute Valentine's gift! The dancing poodles and hearts-n'-ribbons are very cute and festive. And I do love poodles.

Simplicity 8394

This lovely party set from Vintage Needle Finds would make for a charming Valentine's Day party or special dinner. :) Many other holidays are included. Great for a little party for children or seniors, or anyone, really!

Simplicity 7039

This sweet Cupid treat basket would be welcome on a desk or table in an office or waiting room. Available from Vogue Vixens, and other holidays are also included. He looks a little cheeky to me.

Butterick 3306

How about a sweet, Valentine-themed party apron from Purple Plaid Penguin? Other holiday aprons are also included so you can have one for every season. :) A truly glamorous hostess simply can't be without a seasonal apron!

Advance 2701

Speaking of aprons, here's another cute one from Redcurlzs. You can also add a heart-shaped pocket. Of course, almost any apron can be a Valentine's Day apron if you use festive heart-print fabric. :)

Simplicity 1359

Yet another festive and romance-filled apron from The Pattern Source! The heart-shaped design of the pockets is replicated in the sweetheart design of the bib. Bake up some special Valentine Treats?

McCall's 3039

A festive gift idea is this romantic bear with bow-tie and heart. Yes, you can get a teddy holding a heart almost anywhere.. but one that is homemade is really a special gift. From Lonestar Blondie.

Heart Pillow

An easy gift you can DIY with this cut-and-stuff pillow from Roma's Maison.

Simplicity 9439

More cute decor and romantic gift ideas with this pattern from Find Crafty Patterns. There are other holidays included, too.. so you can set a cheerful table any season of the year.

McCall's 9168

A heart-shaped box of candy? No! It's a decoration for your front door. You can get the pattern from Clutterina... other holidays are also included.

Monday, January 4, 2016

Well, the New Year is here and it's 2016! I hope you all have a wonderful New Year. :)

But let's pretend that it's not 2016... let's go all the way back to January of 1950! The 1940s are over, and a whole new decade is beginning! What will fashion hold? A new prosperity is beginning, and lots of things are changing. This is a real treat, as this booklet is much longer than many of them. I hope you will enjoy this look into the past. Let's open it and see!

McCall 7919

On the cover is this sweet off-the-shoulder dress with a tiered-skirt. Lovely for dancing? This catalog is from my personal collection. Whiteside's was Morgantown's local downtown fashion department store for many decades, and had a truly enviable pattern & fabric department.

These sweet dresses for a junior hint at the incoming full skirt that would be so popular in the 1950s. Note the very fitted waist on 7917, and the sweet gathered shoulders on 7912. Note also the shorter hemlines. I LOVE those big pockets!!

Need a refresher on how to do a proper buttonhole? :) How about those angular pockets on 7921? Claaaassy! I love how they reflect the shape of the collar. Very tasteful and clever design if you ask me. Worthy of Vogue but here it is from McCall!

Here's the billowing, tiered-skirt dress seen on the cover. You can make it several ways as you can see... all of them as pretty as can be! This style for dancing will likely never go out of style.. you can still dance the night away in a very similar dress!

McCall 7918

Look at this beautiful dancing dress with a scalloped collar! Oh, it's very pretty! Again, scallop-shapes at the hip/waistline mimic the scallops at the neck. Very fine design. A quiet touch like that means so much to making a design something special. As pretty as a flower.

More youthful looks with bare shoulders as a sundress, or with a jacket for a more formal occasion. Taking a holiday for the winter? You could still wear these looks on your cruise and look like a Hollywood star! Wear some sunglasses and everyone will wonder just who you are. ;)

Super-chic dresses with amazing attention to detail on this page! Total elegance when worn with gloves and a matching hat & handbag. :) The unusual neckline and asymmetrical shape of 7922 looks couture dramatic, meanwhile the very deep neckline of 7925 is sure to turn heads.

More intriguing design here! 7911 features buttons that stop at the waist in the front, but continue below the waist in the back! What a clever feature. Meanwhile, the curved pockets of 7924 mimic the curve of the yoke.

Can't forget pretty blouses, slim skirts, and flowing lingerie for bedtime... :) Rebecca's Vintage Salon has the lovely 7930 wiggle/pencil skirt in stock. You could have a vintage look very quickly! Shorten it for a more modern look if you would like.

The last page is filled with quite a variety of items! Cowboy jodhpur suit for the kiddos, shirred and embroidered dress for tots, ties for the man of the house, and matching novelty BBQ aprons for your summer grilling! Maybe an odd choice for January, but you can never start too early, am I right? I like how the lady's apron has a cute wiener dog motif, while the man's features a pig chef.

The back features an advertisement for Botany brand fabrics. There are still "Botany" fabrics produced for airline and upholstery use, but I don't think this has anything to do with Botany Mills of New Jersey. (Now a historic district, by the way.)

Here's an advertisement on a matchbook for Botany ties. Botany not only made textiles but also a few items of clothing, ties probably being the most prolific. :)

Etsy Pattern Patter Team Showcase

Here are some randomly selected, live listings from members of the Pattern Patter Team Page on Etsy -
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Special thanks to Kevin of BetaRays, member of the Toronto Etsy Team for creating this free Team Showcase app!